Riparian characteristics of pastoral streams in the Waikato region, 2002 and 2007

In 2002 and 2007 Waikato Regional Council conducted surveys of riparian characteristics in rural streams throughout the region to gauge the success of its investments in riparian management.

The aim of these surveys was to provide a repeatable and quantitative assessment of fencing, vegetation and erosion in riparian margins through pastoral land in the region.

This report summarises the results of the 2002 and 2007 surveys, to

• compare the amount and type of fencing and riparian vegetation across management zones and land use types
• compare results of the Waikato Regional Council survey to self-reported data
• assess changes in fencing and planting over the five years between 2002 and 2007
• determine the factors most strongly driving stream bank erosion
• assess the statistical power of the current survey design and recommend changes to sample sizes.

Report: TR 2010/07

Author: R Storey (NIWA)